The art revolution starts noon Saturday

visual arts

April 25, 2008|By Terry Hummel, Special to the Sentinel

'D ifferent" (but in a good way) seems to be the theme for this week's art selections. Probably the most different, for this area anyway, is "Revolution, a party celebrating the art and culture of Orlando and abroad." Yes, I know, that doesn't sound very different, but the novelty is in the details: The happenings take place Saturday, noon-2 a.m., at 630 West Central Studios, "an art complex made up of three multi-purpose warehouses." One warehouse will be dedicated to dance and video, another features the visual arts and the last warehouse will have a historical exhibition of 1980s street art. You can read more about this happening on page 46, or call 407-428-9331 for more info.

Also different: There's a free meatloaf cook-off and food-themed juried art show in historic downtown Kissimmee at Toho Square (corner of Darlington and Pleasant) Saturday, noon-3 p.m. What else can I say about that? (Except bring your own Rolaids.) Call 407-846-4643 for more info.

An event for children

The Maitland Art Center will host its "Children's Art Festival" Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This is a "hands-on" art event for kids. There will be kite-making, face-painting with photos, drawing, painting, papier-mM-bchM-i, puppetry, a petting zoo and a special exhibit of work by the children of the Coalition for the Homeless. In addition, the adults (and kids too) can enjoy a fine art exhibition of paintings by Victor Bokas inside the center's galleries. Call for details, 407-539-2181.

Wild in St. Pete

Yet another really different art event is the "Wildlife & Western Visions" art show, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Raymond James Financial Center (880 Carillon Parkway) in St. Petersburg. This is the only art show of this kind in Florida. The show has only high-caliber work and enjoys national recognition. Eighteen award-winning artists will be present, including two members of the prestigious "Cowboy Artists of America." Parking and admission are free. Call 888-779-2240 for more info, or go to wildlifeartshow.com for a preview.

Summer camps

I will be giving you information in a future column about the great summer art programs/camps available for our kids. But, if you want to get a head start by meeting some of the staff, asking questions, viewing brochures, etc., then you'll want to go to the Central Florida Fair grounds (4603 W. Colonial Drive) Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You will have to pay regular admission to the Central Florida Fair, but once inside the Arts Summer Camp Fair is free, and you'll be eligible to win "thousands of dollars worth of scholarships" as door prizes. Call 407-540-9916.

A Lake Ivanhoe-down

Driving down Orange Avenue in the Lake Ivanhoe area (at 1807 and 1813), you might have noticed two tiny art galleries/studios belonging to two artists, Aurora Rincon (I love her work!) and Nouha Katkhouda. Both paint, and Rincon also sculpts. Saturday evening, 6:30-10 p.m., you can visit the antique shops, boutiques, restaurants and these artists' galleries while enjoying food, wine and live music. What's not to love!